Chamber spices it up for Leadership Beaumont

A seasonal sensation … Once again, the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual fundraiser Spice of the Season to raise money for Leadership Beaumont. This year’s soiree, Cartoonmania, was catered by Carrabba’s Italian restaurant with celebrity waiters dressed as their favorite cartoon characters. As they served guests appetizers, salads, a main course and dessert, they earned tips in Looney Loot. A successful silent auction and live auction raised the ante and brought in more funds. Headwaiters Laura Kressman, dressed as Superwoman, and Angel Welch as Bat Girl were very creative in both their dress and ability to motivate the celebrity waitstaff. Having a ball serving the group were Ashley Vincent as Alice and Scott Miller as the Mad Hatter, Glenn Hicks as Miss Piggy and Josh Weaver as Kermit the Frog, and Brandon Fisher as Popeye and Stephanie Goff as Olive Oil. In the mix from APAC-Texas, Mobiloil Federal Credit Union and Beaumont Baptist Hospital were Trisha McClain and Roy West, Artie and Traci Tucker, Kim and John Cross, Sarah and Gary Zimmerman, TawanaCadien (kudos on the decorations), Amy and Bryan Benison, Tanya and Chuck Kalkbrenner, Sandra and Rick Morales, Joyce and Chris Buchanan, Julie Laird, Van Snyman, Lori and Mike Lockwood, Jennifer and Nestor Barroeta, and Sue and Troy Rogers, to name a few. What a creative and fun-filled way to raise money for a terrific cause!

Birthday bash … Shelly Sampson Thomas hosted a birthday party for her mother, Susan Sampson Howlett, at the picturesque lake home of her aunt and uncle Susan and JimmySimmons. A very leisurly weekend was spent on the deck, on the lake and in toasting the b-day gal by her family and lifelong friends. Having a great time were Cat Holtzclaw, Mary Kirkland, Kit Ohmstede, Elizabeth Walker, Suzie Tremble, Roberta Bullington, Liz Sandell, Tracy Thomas and yours truly. Nothing like old childhood friends!

Storkmarketing … Charles Noble Amis arrived Aug. 5 at Texas Children’s Hospital. Weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces, this bundle of joy brings so much happiness to first-time parents Betsy and Parker Amis. Thrilled over the new arrival, who will be affectionately known as Charlie, are grandparents Margi and Rocky Chase as well as Lexi, Aaron and Vivi Boudreaux. Congrats!

Arty party … The Art Museum of Southeast Texas will host its Family Arts Day this Saturday morning, Aug. 11, starting at 10 a.m. This fun art-filled day is all about kids and their creative side — and it is free!

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